Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Steineded How sad is this?

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

bkoganbing I'm still not clear about how an orphan Andrew McCarthy was allowed to write a Dear Abby like column, but the story about how a group of orphans who created their own family is an intriguing plot premise even if the story could be told better.McCarthy was a member in good standing of Hollywood's famous Brat Pack of the 80s is involved here in a most un Brat Pack like story. When a group of orphans don't want to be split up with adoptions, McCarthy takes them out of the orphanage and they flee all the way to a small town in Missouri where they become his sister and 3 younger brothers, taking his name and becoming The Beniker Gang.Eventually they're caught, but it kind of sort of turns out OK. Imagine Kurt Russell's kids with a girl in Overboard and you have some idea of what the Benikers are like.Best scene in the film is McCarthy made up to look like his own grandfather to fool some nosy neighbors. The kids are resourceful no doubt.An interesting story, could have used improvement.

Darlawood80 These are one of the 1980's movies that aren't pointless. This movie I like because the actors and actresses portray themselves with real feelings. They really have to fight for themselves in order to keep together. Of course Edmond may get into his fights, Ben eats his paper, and Cassie feels unpopular, but that is what makes the movie real. Whoever says this movie is boring, they need to look again. Sticking together isn't pointless at all!

oleander-3 Afraid of being separated, a group of five children run away from their orphanage. There's Arthur, the oldest; James, the introvert; Edmund, the sort of wisecracking kid; Cassie, the shy tomboy; Benjamin, the kid who eats paper. Cassie has the idea of what would be their perfect home, paints a picture of it, and they all set out to find it. They steal a pizza delivery van, repaint it and drive to Missouri. They arrive there at night, but must pull over due to a flat tire. The next morning Cassie's the first to wake. She steps out of the van and lo and behold, they've stopped right in front of a house with an uncanny similarity to the one she drew. It happens to be for sale so they buy the place (Arthur has a nice income from writing a "Dear Lola" column for a newspaper) and fix it up. It's here where the Beniker "Family" decide to live, and must put up with the snobbery of the nearby villagers. There are lots more coincidences, but you'll see them if you watch. Don't get me wrong--I actually liked this movie. It's sweet and interesting and devoid of the annoying, whiney personalities given to so many young characters in the few children's movies made today. Teenagers probably won't be too thrilled with The Beniker Gang (though I liked it), but it's just right for 10-12 yr. olds.

Jonathan Doron I saw this movie as a kid (now you can guess about how old I am), and saw it recently, and it's still fun to watch. A little fairytale-like. Andrew McCarthy was the male equivalent of Molly Ringwald in the 80's. Just a fun light-weighted way to pass an hour and a half.